Gloria MacKenzie Biography

Gloria MacKenzie, an 84 year old woman who currently resides
in Florida won the largest single Powerball Jackpot in history
after a courteous stranger let her step ahead of her in line at
the supermarket.

As a result, MacKenzie is now a multi-millionaire who
generously dispersed her money to her children. She didn't leave
herself out of the deal though, as she recently has purchased a
1.2 million dollar home in Jacksonville, FL.

Life Prior to Winning

MacKenzie was previously a teacher at East Millinocket in Maine before
moving to Zephyrhills, Florida, a popular hotspot for elderly
people after retirement. She moved there by herself after the
death of her husband, Ralph, a World War II veteran.

She lived in a modest, gray duplex that she was renting at
the time. It was small, out-dated, and located across from a cow
pasture.

Life Changing Jackpot

MacKenzie was in line at a Publix Supermarket for her daily
purchase of a single quick-pick Powerball ticket, which keep in
mind contains randomly generated numbers. She always bought her
tickets here and never took part in choosing her numbers.

The people ahead of her in line graciously let MacKenzie slip
ahead of them, unaware of what that could mean for their future.
We later find out that those well-mannered people ahead of
MacKenzie in line were Mindy Crandell and her 10-year-old
daughter, both of which reside in Zephyrhills.

MacKenzie bought four additional Powerball tickets prior to
that winning one, for a ten dollar total investment into the
jackpot. The Powerball numbers were announced on Wednesday, May
19th, 2013. MacKenzie stayed up late that night to wait for the
results. As soon as the numbers were drawn, before even looking
at her ticket, she knew she had won.

MacKenzie, filled with excitement, immediately started
contacting different lawyers and financial advisers, asking them
questions and filling out all of the necessary paperwork. It
wasn't until June 5th, that MacKenzie came forward to claim her
prize. She wanted everything ready ahead of time.

She wore a pink blouse, white pants, and large black
sunglasses to hide her face the day she visited the Florida
State lottery offices. MacKenzie clasped tightly to her son's
arm, refusing to answer any questions asked by the reporters
that surrounded them.

MacKenzie was advised to take the money in a lump sum, due to
her age. This meant a total of nearly $371 million which
amounted to $278 million after taxes. She agreed to split the
money with her son, Scott, who was with her the day she claimed
her prize.

MacKenzie quickly moved out of her apartment in Zephyrhills
and went on to purchase a 1.2 million dollar home in a
golf-centered gated community in Jacksonville, FL close by to
where her son lives.

As a retired teacher, MacKenzie had a true passion for
education, and that's why she donated $2 million to repair the
roof of Schneck High School in East Millinocket, Maine. This
school holds a very special place in her heart, not only because
she taught there, but because her daughter currently teaches
High School Science there as well.

Gloria MacKenzie doesn't like confrontation with reporters
and would prefer to stay out from the eyes of the public. She
did give one public statement though which she ended by
thoughtfully saying, "We are grateful with this blessing of
winning the Florida Lottery Powerball jackpot."